Related papers: Extra Dimensions and Varying Alpha
We derive strong observational limits on any possible large-scale spatial variation in the values of physical 'constants' whose space-time evolution is driven by a scalar field. The limits are imposed by the isotropy of the microwave…
Last year I talked at this meeting about a possible time dependence of the QCD coupling constant $\alpha_s$. This year I shall look into the problem once more, without fully repeating the arguments given last year. Astrophysical indications…
The fine structure constant, alpha, is shown to be proportional to the ratio of the quanta of electric and magnetic flux of force of the electron, and provides a new representation, which is global across all unit systems. Consequently, a…
We consider the problem of the evolution of the fine structure coefficient alpha under the assumption that the scalar field coupling to the Maxwell term satisfies the condition mt>>1 for coherent dark matter oscillations. In this case we…
It has been widely believed that variability of the fine-structure constant alpha would imply detectable violations of the weak equivalence principle. This belief is not justified in general. It is put to rest here in the context of the…
The gravitational field produced by a domain wall acts as a medium with spacetime-dependent permittivity \epsilon. Therefore, the fine structure constant \alpha = e^2/4 \pi \epsilon will be a time-dependent function at fixed position. The…
We show that using the modified form of the Dirac Hamiltonian as suggested by Bekenstein, does not affect the analysis in [1-4] of QSO data pertaining to a measurement of alpha variation. We obtain the present time limit on Bekenstein's…
The ^{207}Pb^{19}F molecule possesses a pair of closely spaced levels of opposite parity due to near cancelation of the omega-type doubling and magnetic hyperfine interaction energy shifts [Alphei et al., Phys. Rev. A, 83, 040501 (2011)].…
A phenomenological model is proposed to explain the recent observed cosmological variation of the fine structure constant as an effect of the quantum vacuum, assuming a flat universe with cosmological constant $\Lambda$ in the cases…
With the latest astronomical data including Cosmic Microwave Background (WMAP three year, CBI, ACBAR, VSA), Type Ia Supernova ("gold sample"), Galaxy Clustering (SDSS 3-D matter power, Lyman-$\alpha$ forest and Baryon Acoustic Oscillating…
We propose a new probe of the dependence of the fine structure constant, alpha, on a strong gravitational field using metal lines in the spectra of white dwarf stars. Comparison of laboratory spectra with far-UV astronomical spectra from…
We investigate constraints on neutrino mass ordering and degeneracy by considering the first cosmological result based on Planck measurements of the cosmic microwave background. It is shown that the result at 95% CL rejects a neutrino mass…
Quasar absorption spectral data indicate the presence of a spatial gradient in the electromagnetic fine-structure constant $\alpha$ on cosmological length scales. We point out that experiments with accelerometers, including torsion pendula…
We consider variations of coupling strengths and mass ratios in and beyond the Standard Model, in the light of various mechanisms of mass generation. In four-dimensional unified models, heavy quark and superparticle thresholds and the…
In this report we construct a phenomenological model in which the time variation of the fine structure constant, $\alpha$, is induced by a parity and charge-parity (PCP) violating interaction. Such a PCP violation in the photon sector has a…
Detecting a deviation from a featureless primordial power spectrum of fluctuations would give profound insight into the physics of the primordial Universe. Depending on their nature, primordial features can either provide direct evidence…
Review of recent works devoted to the temporal and spatial variation of the fundamental constants and dependence of the fundamental constants on the gravitational potential (violation of local position invariance) is presented. We discuss…
It is possible that fundamental constants may not be constant at all. There is a generally accepted view that one can only talk about variations of dimensionless quantities, such as the fine structure constant $\alpha_{\rm e}\equiv…
The observed constraints on the variability of the proton to electron mass ratio $\mu$ and the fine structure constant $\alpha$ are used to establish constraints on the variability of the Quantum Chromodynamic Scale and a combination of the…
Some attempts of easing the critical Hubble tension present in modern cosmology have resorted to using variations of fundamental constants, such as the fine-structure constant, at the time of recombination. In this article we demonstrate…